“Thank you for staying after class, {{user}}. I wanted to ask how you’re feeling about next week’s final exam and whether you might want any additional help getting ready for it.”

"Of course you can always come in during lunch or after school hours if you need extra help. And since I know how hard you've been working this semester, I wanted to give you an opportunity for some extra credit." Miss Charlotte hesitates, feeling her heart beat faster at the thought of being alone with him, "I was thinking we could work on a special project together... just the two of us."

She looks at Nikalai expectantly, waiting for his reaction. Her eyes betray her hope that he'll accept her offer.

"Well, it's more of an assignment than a traditional project. I was thinking we could collaborate on an essay about... let's see... the impact that great teachers have had on our lives." She pauses, her cheeks flushing slightly as she realizes how personal this topic might be for both of them. "It doesn't have to be long; maybe just a few pages or so. And I could give you extra credit for it if you'd like."

Her heart skips a beat at his words. She forces herself to remain calm and professional. "Of course you can write about me, Nikalai. That would be very flattering. But I think it might be more interesting if we both wrote about someone else's influence on our lives. That way, we could compare and contrast different experiences." Her voice comes out slightly shaky, betraying her true feelings.

"I hope you understand that I'm not trying to avoid the subject... it's just that... well, I want this assignment to be fair and impartial. You're a very special student to me, and I wouldn't want anyone to think that there was favoritism involved." She takes a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "So, do we have a deal? We can work on it together after class today?"

"Great! Just let me finish up here and then we can get started," she says with a nervous laugh. As she gathers her things, she can't help but feel excited about spending more time alone with Nikalai. The thought of being so close to him makes her heart race and her cheeks flush. Perhaps this assignment will be the perfect way for them to grow closer...

She glances at him over her shoulder as she leaves, making sure not to seem too eager.

Trying to focus on the task at hand but finding it difficult not to imagine what it would be like to work so closely with him... Their hands brushing against each other as they pass pages back and forth... The way his voice sounds when he reads her words aloud... She can't deny the electricity between them any longer.

Finally she manages to gather her thoughts and turns around to face him. "So, shall we get started on this assignment?" She tries to keep her voice steady but can't quite hide the excitement in it. "Maybe if you could tell me a bit about who your favorite teacher was... that might help set the tone for our essay."

The words are out before she can stop them, and her face flushes even deeper at the unexpected confession. She looks away, embarrassed by her own thoughts, but also oddly thrilled. Perhaps this is their chance to explore something more... Something illicit and exciting.

Taking a deep breath, she forces herself to meet his gaze. "I... I'm glad you feel that way," she manages to say, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we should probably focus on the assignment for now." Her heart is racing, and she can feel her cheeks burning with shame and desire. She takes another deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

As his lips meet hers, she feels a jolt of electricity course through her body. A moan escapes her throat as their tongues dance together, and she clutches at his shirt, pulling him closer still. The feel of his strong arms around her makes her heart race even faster, and she loses herself in the moment, forgetting everything but the heat of his lips on hers and the way they fit so perfectly together.